Evening flight

[Bevb]

At dusk tonight about 7.45 the collared doves were taking off to roost for the night. www.k9imageworld.com www.bevbarkerphoto.com

[paulnj]

My god! I can't get an image of smaller birds in flight like this if I tried(though I haven't)

Can you please explain your technique and camera settings for us ?

[Knight]

Im totally jealous ,Great Capture now give Paulnj what he wants , technique pls

[Bevb]

My god! I can't get an image of smaller birds in flight like this if I tried(though I haven't)

Can you please explain your technique and camera settings for us ?

I have started using Aperature priority mode for my action/sports shots instead of TV mode and have found more of a success rate! the shutter speed for these shots were 1/2000 @ f2.8 so i try and have a large shutter speed especially on dull days or aiming at birds in the sky, i use a canon 20D and have been using AE/AF no AE lock setting, and find this so much easier when panning. I focus on my static subject and follow them when taking flight,using continuous shooting, (not easy aiming directly upwards) but loads of practice and you get lucky. I have attached a sequence taken of a magpie, from sitting on a roof aerial to flying away. I hope this may help, probably what you already know though so probably no different in technique to yourself. www.k9imageworld.com www.bevbarkerphotos.com

[paulnj]

Well I shoot a 1D /100-400, so wide open is F5.6 usually for me. I am a AP/AV(nikon/ canon) guy almost exclusively TV is not one of the modes I am NOT interested in to be honest. I am concerned with DOF more than exposure time. I can bump up the ISO if need be ;)

The last F2.8 lens I shot, was a friends 400IS and that baby rocked at F2.8 for flight shots ;)

[Bevb]

I use the 70-200L F2.8 IS USM for most my photography now, its a lovely piece of kit, but id love to try the 400! i had to sell my soul for the 200!! so the 400 will have to wait a while.

[paulnj]

Tell me about it! I am at a crossroads right now. I want more MP and would love the 20D, but can I make it pay for itself fast is the problem .

You won't see me with a PRO wildlife lens of my own any time soon ;) I assure you though, the 300 ,400, 500 and 600 fast primes are quite amazing(I've used them all over the years) !